Elizabeth Holmes Must Begin Serving Prison Time While She Appeals

A judge has shot down Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes’ request to stay out of prison while she appeals her conviction.

Holmes was sentenced to an 11-year prison term for multiple counts of fraud over unsubstantiated claims about Theranos’ products and breakthroughs. The conviction caused widespread concern in tech circles, with some experts saying it set a dangerous precedent for startup founders and their efforts to market their companies and drum up investments.

Holmes is appealing her conviction and requested that she not serve jail time while going through the process. According to The Washington Post, the judge has shot down her request, ruling she must begin serving her 11-year sentence while the appeals process plays out.

Judge Edward Davila said the court was “unable to find that she has raised a ‘substantial question of law or fact’ that if ‘determined favorably to [her] on appeal’” is unlikely to result in a new trial or a reversal of the verdict.